I am sure this has been answered somewhere in the forums, but could not wade through it all and my guidebook might be a little out of date. Does anyone have a suggested shuttle service for four adults and luggage from the airport to our lodging in Paris? I think we will be in the 16th Arrondissement.
Thanks!
Go to the official taxi rank - do not accept a ride from anyone who approaches you as these are illegal operators. A taxi from CDG into Paris is €50 flat rate to the 16th on the Right Bank (North of the Seine) for up to 4 passengers and their luggage. Tipping is not required. Write your address, including the arrondissiment, on a slip of paper to give the driver. Shuttle services from the airport are notoriously unreliable in Paris.
What Carolyn said. Paris is not a good shuttle town and they tend to be unreliable; many stories of pre-paid rides not showing and not refunding. Taxis are the only way to go for 4 people. The train would cost your group 42 Euro and you would be hauling bags up and down stairs, so taxi for 50 is a great bargain. We tip a couple of Euro if the cabbie is very helpful with luggage, but it is not required or necessarily expected. Give the cabbie a slip of paper with the address clearly printed and 50E on the slip so he knows you know the rate. And the meter should be set at 50 when you start. There are no added fees for time of day, luggage etc etc. The only added fees are 4 Euro for each person over the initial 4, which does not apply to you. (large taxis can take up to 7 people). ONLY the official queue. Do not interact over a ride with anyone who approaches you with 'need a taxi' or tries to direct you away from the official queue to some other line. (someone recently reported that a scammer told him that 'this line is not for central Paris, you have to follow me up here to this other line -- nope, nope, nope)
Thank, Carolyn and janettravels! Just the info needed!
Just take a minivan from the taxi rank.
Always print out the address and the Postal Code for the driver.
Remember the taxi drivers always stay in their vehicle when they are not loading your luggage.
Just to add - the manager at the head of the taxi rank will get you the size taxi you need for your group. He may ask you to step aside to wait for a bigger van to drive forward from the taxi holding area, then will signal you forward when yours arrives.
Like Janettravels, I read recently on TA that a traveler had gotten scammed at CDG by someone who told them the taxi rank was not for taxis to Paris which is a downright lie. Only go to the official taxi rank. You may be in line for a bit but it moves quickly as they load 3-4 cabs at a time. This was a twist on the touts coming up to people as they exit the International area asking if they need a taxi.
I also type out the name and complete address of the hotel and tape it to a 3x5 card. I just hand it to the driver so I don't have to worry about pronunciation.
